Temptaion of Mara the Evil One His prolonged painful austerites proved utterly futile. The only resulted in the exhaustion of his valuable energy. Though physically a superman his delicately nurtured body could not possibly stand the great strain. His graceful form completely faded almost beyond recognition. His golden coloured skin turned pale, his blood dried up, his sinews and muscles shrivelled up, his eyes were sunk and blurred. To all appearance he was a living skeleton . He was almost on the verge of death. At this critical stage, while he was still intent on the Highest (Padhana), abiding on the banks of the Neranjara river, striving and contemplating in order to attain to that state of Perfect Security, came Namuci, uttering kind words thus: You are lean and deformed. Near to you is death. A thousand parts (of you) belong) to death; to life (there remains) but one. Live, O good sir! Life is better. Living, you could perform merit. By leading a life of celibacy and making fire sacrifices, much merit could be acquired. What will you do with this striving? Hard is the path of striving, difficult and not easily accomlpished. Mara reciting these words stood in the presence of the Exalted One. To Mara who spoke thus, the Exalted One replied: O Evil One, kinsman of the heedless! You have come here for your own sake. Even an iota of merit is of no avail. To them who are in need of merit ot behoves you, Mara, to speak thus. Confidence (Saddha), self-control (Tapo), perservance( Viriya), and wisdom (Panna) are mine. Me who am thus intent, why do you question about life? Even the stream of rivers will this wind dry up. Why should not the blood of me who am thus striving dry up? When blood dries up, the bile and phlegm also dry up. When my flesh wasted away, more and more does my mind get clarified. Still more and do my mindfulness, wisdom, and concentration become firm. While I live thus, experiencing the ulmost pain, my mind does not belong for lust! Behold the purity of a being! Sense-desires (Kama), are your first army. The second is called Aversion for the Holy Life (Arati). The third is Hunger and Thirst (Khuppipasa). The fourth is called Craving (Tanha). The fifth is Sloth and Torpor (Thina-Middha). The sixth is called Fear (Dhiru). The seventh is Doubt (Vicikichha), and the eighth is Detraction and Obstinacy ( Makkha-Thambha). The ninth is Gain (Labha), Praise (Siloka) and Honour (Sakkhara), and that ill-gotten Fame (Yasa). The tenth is the extolling of oneself and contempt for others (Attukkamsanaparavambhana) This, Namuci, is your army, the opposing host of the Evil One. That army the corward does not overcome, but he who overcome obtains happiness. This Munja do I display! What boots life in this world! Better for me is death in the battle than that one should live on, vanquished!. Some ascetics and brahmins are not seen plunged in this battle. They know not nor do they tread the path of the virtuous. Seeing the army on all sides with Mara arrayed on elephant, I go forwrads to battle. Mara shall not drive me from my position. The army of yours, which the world together with gods conquers not, by my wisdom I go to destroy as I would an unbaked bowl with al stone. Controlling my thoughts, and with mindfulness well-established, I shall wander from country to country, training many a disciple. Diligent, intent, and practising my teaching, they, disregarding you, will go where having gone they grieve not. conti..
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 11:36:15 +0000
Trending Topics
© 2015